Dogs missing after July 4

Fireworks had some pets running from noise

Claire Kowalick/Times Record News
This dog was picked up by Animal Services near the Fourth of July. Many animals panic and run away each year because of fireworks.

Claire Kowalick/Times Record News
This dog was picked up by Animal Services near the Fourth of July. Many animals run away because of fireworks.

These two spaniel mix dogs were picked up by Animal Services near the Fourth of July. Many animals panic and run away each year because of fireworks. Claire Kowalick/Times Record News

Claire Kowalick/Times Record News
These two young dogs were picked up by Animal Services near the Fourth of July. Many animals panic and run away each year because of fireworks.

While people were celebrating Independence Day last week, several area dogs found a different kind of freedom.

"We've been extremely busy since the Fourth," said Animal Services Administrator Katrena Mitchell.

Mitchell said that every year dogs are scared by the fireworks and break away from their owners or get out of their yards to try to escape the noise.

All dogs have extremely sensitive hearing, and several breeds, such as herding dogs, are especially prone to anxiety around loud noises such as thunderstorms or fireworks.

Sometimes people are out of town or just not home at the time and do not know their dog is missing until later, Mitchell said.

"Owners need to be actively searching. We can only keep animals a certain amount of time. Don't just think your pet will come back home," she said.

She said even though there is a city ordinance for all dogs to have city tags, most animals that are picked up do not have collars or identifying tags.

"Some people don't keep collars on them because they jingle, or the dog chews them off, or it came off while playing," Mitchell said.

She said it is very important to keep identification tags and city tags on your dog and also get them microchipped.

An animal can get microchipped for $15 with the city, and it helps in matching missing pets and their owners.

Wichita County Humane Society staff member Mary Flanagan said they are also getting calls every day since the Fourth about missing pets.

"They say, 'We were out, and the fireworks went off, and we can't find him.' It happens every year," she said.

Several animals went missing from homes in the city limits, and the owners said the animals panicked when nearby neighbors were popping fireworks.

"That's another reason people should not have fireworks in city limits," Flanagan said.

Many animals also are missing from areas outside the city because people drive out there to do fireworks.

Many reports said people had planned on bringing their dogs in before the fireworks started, but people started shooting them off before it was dark.

"It's possible people were doing even more fireworks this year because they couldn't last year with the burn ban," Flanagan said.

Flanagan said if you have a lost dog, check with Animal Services and the Humane Society, then post e-flyers online at sites like Facebook and Craigslist and notices around the area near your home.

City View resident Krysten Long lost her teacup Yorkshire terrier Gabby on July Fourth when she and the dog were outside and several people in the neighborhood started fireworks.

Long said they have had Gabby a couple of years, but this was the first year the dog had experienced fireworks.

She said Gabby normally wears a collar, but that day she had just gotten groomed and was not wearing her collar.

Luckily, the dog was found a couple streets over at about 8 p.m. July 5, after Long had posted a notice on Facebook.

"Next year we are definitely going to keep her inside," said Long.

Mitchell said if anyone has lost their dog or finds a stray dog, they should contact Animal Services. The center on Hatton Road keeps a lost-and-found notebook at the front office for people who have lost or found animals.

If you have lost an animal or would like more information about microchipping your pet, call Animal Services Center, 1207 Hatton Road, 940-761-7824.